Method for flash removal

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for removing hot flash from a welded article including a receiving unit for accepting the welded article from a welding machine, apparatus for quickly transferring the article to a flash removal station, and a flywheel powered flash removing apparatus. The welding machine, receiving unit, transfer apparatus, and flash removing apparatus are controllably interconnected for sequential operation to provide a relatively high speed flash shearing and stripping operation.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3 48719 Fuller et al. 1 July 31, 1973METHOD FOR FLASH REMOVAL 3,096,612 7/1963 Coffe 83/914 x 3,438,5614/1969 Caldon 228/13 [75] inventors: Francis W. Fuller; Jozef Kiwalle,

both of Peoria, lll. Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser AsslsneeiProduction Technulofly PC0118, Assistant Examiner-Robert J. CraigAttorneyDonald c. Feix 22 Filed: Dec. 27, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 212,391 1ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for removing hot flash from 52 us. c129/481 29/4703 29 557 a welded article including a 'eceiving wining83/914 1; A 228/2 228/, the welded article from a welding machine,apparatus [51 1111. C1 323k 31/02 quickly transferring the a flash [58]Field of Search 83/914; 90/24 A and a flywheelmwered flash 'emving 90/2429/481 557 470.3. 228/2 9 l3 tus. The welding machine, receiving unit,transfer ap- 9 paratus, and flash removing apparatus are controllably[56] References Cited interconnected for sequential operation to providea I relatively high speed flash shearing and stripping opera- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS tion. 2,945,l l7 7/1960 Harris 'et al. 83/914 X 3,091,2025/1963 Mackey 29/481 X 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIEBJUL31 1915saw a or 5 PAIENIE JUL 3 1 ms SHEET 5 BF 6 M Egg aw ow m: 5 3

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PAIENIE m3 1 mm sum 6 or g I I I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The subjectinvention relates to a method and apparatus for removing hot flash froma friction welded article. More particularly, this invention defines amethod and apparatus for the continuous automatic transfer of a weldedarticle from a welding machine to flash shearing and strippingapparatus.

It is well known that friction welding affords a relatively high speedeconomical process for joining articles which thereafter usually requirelittle or no final machining. There are, however, other weldedassemblieswhich require some finished machining, including the removal of theextruded flash material from the weld joint such as on engine valvesused in internal combustion engines.

The weld flash on such valves can be removed by a subsequent grindingoperation. This, however, requires additional handling and tooling whichis not economically feasible under good manufacturing practices.

If, on the other hand, the weld flash is removed immediately afterwelding, a less costly shearing operation can be used. Many types ofshearing operations have been proposed. A large number of theseproposals incorporate the shearing mechanism directly into the weldingmachine and use portions of the welding ma-. chine to assist in shearingthe flash from the welded article. Such shearing procedures are notconducive to high speed, high production operations since the weldingoperations of the machine are delayed while the shearing operation takesplace.

Other proposed methods of removing weld flash include transferring thewelded assembly from the welding machine and initiating the shearingoperation at some remote location. This procedure requires, however,that the transfer of the article from the machine and the shearing ofthe flash from the article occur within a very short time after weldingto prevent hardening of the flash. If the shearing operation is delayed,the flash will harden beyond the shearing capabilities of most shearingapparatus. It is especially important therefore that transfer of awelded article from the machine to a shearing apparatus be accomplishedin an extremely short period of time.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of thepresent invention to construct a flash shearing apparatus for removal ofhot flash from a welded article which is extremely fast and efficient.

Another object of the present invention is to transfer the weldedassembly from the welding machine to the shearing apparatus in anextremely short period of time.

Another object of the present invention is to operate the shearingapparatus in a continuous automatic cycle.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings andfollowing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of afriction welding machine and a flash shearing unit constructed inaccordance with the present invention with portions broken away forillustrative convenience.

FIG. 2 is a plan view partially in section of the shear unit of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view partially in section of a portion of theshear unit.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the shearing unitincluding the flash shearing mechanism and the flash strippingapparatus.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the flash shearing unit includingan article receiving station and a transfer assembly.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view partially in section of the articletransfer carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a flashshearing unit 10 operatively coupled to and in close association with afriction welding machine 11. Although other types of joining machinesand processes could be utilized with the flash shearing unit, a frictionwelding machine is illustrated for descriptive purposes.

A rear view of the friction welding machine 11 is shown in FIG. 1 andtherefore only certain portions of the machine are visible. Theseportions include a machine base 12, a table plate 13, and a framework14, for supporting the automatic loading equipment designated generallyby reference numerals l5 and 16. Other portions of the friction weldingmachine which are also shown include an electrical power source 18, anelectric motor 19 for rotating the spindle, a machine function controlpanel 20, and a tailstock fixture 21. The tailstock fixture 21 issupported on the machine by a pair of tie-bars 22 and 23.

A weld specimen receiving and conveying chute 26 is situated within thetable plate 13 of the friction welding machine 11. The conveying chuteaccepts a completed weld specimen when itis released by the tailstockfixture 21.

Portions of the flash shearing unit 10 which are illustrated in FIG. 1include a support base 27, a framework 28 for supporting and housingvarious components of the shear unit, and a flash shearing energy source29. The flash shearing unit also includes an electrical control panel 32for housing the various switching and control assemblies for the shearunit, a weld specimen transfer assembly 33, and a weld specimen rejectassembly 34.

The weld specimen transfer assembly 33 includes a support unit 39, aweld specimencarrier unit 40, and

two parallel support rods 41 and 42 which form a controlled track forthecarrier unit, as best shown in FIG. 2.

With particular reference to FIG. I, the flash shearing energy source 29includes a support frame 45 mounted on a top plate 46 of the flashshearing unit 10, a crankshaft 47 supported for rotation within theframe 45, and a connecting rod 48 which is fastened at one end to thejournaled area 49 of the crankshaft. A flywheel unit 52, including aclutch and brake assembly 53, is operationally associated with one endof the crankshaft 47. A motor 54 is arranged to continually drive theflywheel 52 by means of a pulley 55 and belt 56. The entire energysource 29 may be purchased as a half-press from any one of severalsuitable commercial sources. Two limit switches 59 and 60 are mounted onthe support frame 45 with the switching arms of each limit switch incontact with the shaft 47. The exact purpose of the limit switches willbe explained at a later point in the description.

Greater details of the flash shearing unit can be seen with particularreference to FIGS. 2 through 6 of the drawings. A base plate 61 is fixedwithin the framework 28 and supports a number of elements of theshearing unit. As best shown in FIG. 2, the flash shearing unit includesa weld specimen receiving station 62, and a flash removal station 63with the carrier unit 40 used to transfer a weld specimen from thereceiving station to the flash removal station.

The flash shearing station 63 includes a plurality of guide blocks 66fastened to the base plate 61 and used to guide the movement of twomoveable shear members 67 and 68. An interchangeable shear die 69 isattached to shear member 67 and a similar interchangeable shear die 70is attached to shear member 68.

Shear die 69 contains eight separate semi-circular shear surfaces 71,one every 90 on the top and bottom 1 surfaces of the die. Eachsemi-circular shear surface 71 matches with a similar semi-circularshear surface 72 on shear die 70 to form the total shear surface forholding the welded specimen. In this way, each set of shear diesprovides eight separate shear surfaces by rotating the dies or byturning the dies over.

A knee-type toggle link assembly 73 fastens moveable shear member 68 tothe framework 28 and a similar knee-type toggle link assembly 74 fastensmoveable shear member 67 to the opposite side of the framework 28. Asbest shown in FIG. 3, a piston rod 75 of a fluid cylinder 76 ispivotally connected to the knee-type assembly 73. On the opposite sideof the shear assembly 10, a piston rod 77 of a fluid cylinder 78 ispivotally connected to the knee assembly 74. Fluid cylinder 76 is upheldby a support assembly 81 fastened to the top plate 46. In a like manner,fluid cylinder 78 is upheld by a support assembly 82 also fastened totop plate 46. In FIG. 2, portions of the fluid cylinder 76 and supportassembly 81 have been removed to show greater details of the knee-typeassembly 73.

A vertical plate member 83 is secured to the base plate 61 and supportsone end of each of the parallel support rods 41 and 42. The oppositeends of the rods are supported within a second vertical plate member 84which is a portion of the support unit 39. It is evident that the twoparallel support rods extend from the weld specimen receiving station 62to the flash removal station 63. In this way, the carrier unit 40 cantravel on the rods from one station to the other.

A rotary motor 87 is drivingly connected to a sprocket 88 and issupported on the base plate 61. The sprocket engages an endless chain 89which extends from the flash removal station 63 to the weld specimenreceiving station 62 where it engages an idler sprocket 90 which isfastened to plate 84.

The endless chain 89 is fastened to a base plate member 91 of thecarrier unit 40. Therefore, as the endless chain moves in eitherdirection, the carrier unit 40 will move in the same direction. Theconnection between the chain 89 and the carrier unit 40 is best seen inFIG. 6.

A plurality of limit switches are associated with the flash removalstation 63 and are used to control various functions of the shearingunit during automatic cycling of the unit. Two of these limit switches94 and 95 are secured to the outer surface of framework 28 and twosimilar switches 96 and 97 are secured to the outer surface of theopposite side of framework 28. Switches 94 and 95 are activated by apair of tripping members 100 and 101 carried on a rod 102 which issecured to the moveable shear member 68. In a similar manner, switches96 and-97 are activated by a pair of tripping members 103 and 104respectively which are carried on a rod 105 secured to the moveableshear member Other limit switches associated 'with the flash removalstation 63 and used to control various functions within the automaticshearing cycle include switches 108, 109 and 110. These three limitswitches are activated by various portions of the carrier unit as willbe described at a later point in the description.

A fluid cylinder 111 is mounted within the vertical plate member 83 andserves to absorb the shock of the carrier unit 40 as it is rapidly movedinto position within the flash removal station 63. A forwardly extendingrod 112 mounted within base plate member 91 of the carrier unit 40contacts a piston rod 113 of cylinder 111 as the carrier unit 40approaches the end of travel within the flash removal station. A similarfluid cylinder 116 is mounted within plate 84 of the weld specimenreceiving station 62. A piston rod 117 of the fluid cylinder contactsthe rearward end of base plate member 91 of the carrier unit 40 as thecarrier unit rapidly moves into position within the weld specimenreceiving station 62. Fluid cylinders 1 11 and 116 are connected by aclosed loop system wherein fluid expelled.

from one cylinder is forced into the other. Therefore, as one piston rodsuch as 113 moves into cylinder 111, piston rods 117 will be moved outof cylinder 116.

The weld specimen reject assembly 34 includes a frame 118 secured to thesupport unit 39 and a fluid cylinder 119 carried on the frame 118. Thereject assembly also includes a limit switch 120 supporting a trippingarm 121. Limit switch 120 is used to activate cylinder 119 upon beingtripped by a weld specimen improperly oriented within the carrier unit40 of the transfer assembly 33.

A shearing and ejecting assembly 124 is fastened to the connecting rod48 of the flash shearing energy source 29. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and4, the shearing and ejecting assembly is situated in the center of theflash removal station 63 and except during a flash removing operation,is in an upward position.

The shearing and ejecting assembly 124 includes a top ring member 125, acylinder 126, and a lower ring member 127. Secured to the lower ringmember is a hollow support tube 128 which contains a hollow guide member129. A stop pin 130 is held in place between the lower ring member 127and the hollow guide member 129.

A piston assembly 133 is situated in cylinder 126 and is moved up ordown in response to fluid pressure which is introduced into the cylinderchamber 134 through a pipe 135 or 136.

The piston assembly 133 includes a piston 139, a piston rod which isfastened to the piston by a nut 141, a stop plate 142, and a retainerplate 143. Plates 142 and 143 are secured to the piston 139 by aplurality of cap screws, one of which is shown at 144. An ejector pin146 is securely fastened between stop plate 142 and retainer plate 143such that the pin moves up or down within the cylinder chamber 134 asthe piston assembly 133 is raised or lowered within the cylinder. Theejector pin is guided by a bore 147 in the stop pin 130. A

lower surface 148 of stop pin 130 contacts a stem portion 149 of awelded valve specimen 150 during the shearing operation.

The weld specimen receiving station 62, as best illustrated in FIG. 5,includes a weld specimen guide block 153, two hinged closure doors 154and 155 and a top cover plate 156. Door 154 is secured to the side ofthe guide block by a spring loaded hinge 157 and door 155 is secured tothe opposite side of the guide block by a spring loaded hinge 158. Theguide block and closure doors fit together to form a cylindrical opening159 which guides a completed weld assembly into position within thereceiving station. A spring loaded plate 162 is situated at the bottomof hole 159 and activates a switch 163 when a weld specimen falls intoposition on top of the spring loaded plate.

With the top cover plate 156 in the position shown in FIG. 5, the hole159 is covered by the plate and a weld specimen received from thewelding machine will rest on the cover plate immediately above the hole159.

The cover plate 156 contains a hole 164 which corresponds generally tothe hole 159 formed by the guide block 153 and closure doors 154 and155. When the cover plate is moved to the left, as viewed in FIG. 5,hole 164 registers with hole 159. The cover plate is normally held inthe position shown by a spring 165 which fastens to a guard (not shown)over the endless chain 89. Movement of the cover plate to the left isaccomplished by engagement of the cover plate with a bar 166 fastened tothe carrier assembly 40.

A limit switch 169 is secured to the plate member 84 and is activated bya horizontally extending bar 170 which is mounted on the carrier unit40. Switch 169 serves to stop the motor 87 which drives the endlesschain 89. A limit switch 171 is mounted on a plate 172 and serves tosignal when the carrier unit 40 is in a loaded position and also startsthe transfer motor 87.

The carrier unit 40 for transferring the welded assembly from thereceiving station 62 to the shearing station 63 is best shown in FIGS. 5and 6. The carrier unit includes a base plate member 91 and a pluralityof hearing block assemblies 175 which are fastened to the top of thebase plate. Each bearing block contains a ball bushing unit 176 whichallows the carrier relatively frictionless movement along the bars 41and 42. A pair of clamping jaws 177 and 178 are held between base platemember 91 and a pair of spaced retaining plates 179 and 180. Clampingjaws 177 and 178 reciprocate within the carrier unit 40 for clamping andreleasing of a weld specimen. The clamping portion 183 of jaw 177 slidesinto a grooved portion 184 of jaw 178.

A link member 185 is pivotally connected by a pin 186 within a recess ofthe base plate 91. A rod 187 is fastened to jaw member 178 and extendsthrough a hole 188 in the link. A slot 191 in the base plate 91 allowspin 187 to move relative to the plate when the link 185 is pivoted onpin 186. Another pin 192 secures jaw 178 to the opposite end of link185. In this manner when link 185 is rotated about pin 186, jaw member177 moves in one direction and jaw member 178 moves in the oppositedirection. Due to the interconnection of the two jaws with the linkmember, a force applied to one jaw member causes concurrent movement ofthe other jaw member.

A slot 193 in the base plate 91 of the carrier unit 40 coincides withhole 159 of the receiving station 62 when the carrier unit is inposition beneath the receiving station. In this manner, a weld specimengravitating through hole 159 in the receiving station will pass throughthe carrier unit 40 if jaws 177 and 178 are in an open position.

A rotary actuator 194 is secured to support unit 39 and contains a leverarm 195 which carries a pin 196. When the carrier unit 40 is movedbeneath the receiving station 62, pin 196 engages a slot 197 in jaw 177if the jaws 177 and 178 are in an open position. Therefore, when therotary actuator 194 is activated, the lever arm 195 and pin 196 areeffective to close the jaws 177 and 178.

OPERATION While the operation of the present invention is believedclearly apparent from the foregoing description, further amplificationwill subsequently be made in the following brief summary of suchoperation.

A flash shearing operation begins with the carrier unit 40 in properposition beneath the receiving station 62. As a welding operation iscompleted by the welding machine 1 1, the completed specimen is releasedby the tailstock assembly 21 and is permitted to fall with its heavierhead end downwardly disposed into the specimen receiving and conveyingchute 26.

The welded valve specimen 150 falls from the chute 26 into the receivingstation, where it passes through the guide block 153 by way of the hole164 in the top cover plate 156 which is aligned withhole 159 in theblock. The head of the valve will come to rest on the spring loadedplate 162 and cause the opposite end of plate 162 to raise and activateswitch 163. Activation of switch 163 energizes a relay in the controlcircuit which activates the rotary actuator 194. Since pin 196 is inposition within slot 197 of clamping jaw 177, as arm rotates, jaw 177 ismoved to the closed position. Since jaws 177 and 178 are interconnectedby means of the link 185, closing of jaw 177 causes simultaneous closingof jaw 178 and the welded specimen, or valve 150, is clamped between theclosed jaws.

As the jaws 177 and 178 close, limit switch 171 is activated by jaw 177which energizes a solenoid in the control circuit and starts the rotarymotor 87. The motor drives the chain 89 which in turn brings the carrier40 forward toward the flash removal station 63.

As the-chain 89 brings the carrier 40 into position within the flashremoval station 63, a forwardly extending rod 181 secured to the forwardend of base plate member 91 contacts the limit switch 109. Activation ofthe limit switch breaks a contact in the motor control circuit and stopsthe motor 87. At the same time, the forwardly extending rod 112 fastenedto the carrier base plate 91, contacts the fluid piston rod 113 ofcylinder 111. The piston rod is forced into the cylinder which forcesfluid out of the cylinder and into cylinder 116 situated in the weldreceiving station 62. This forces piston rod 117 out of cylinder 116which conditions it to absorb the shock of the carrier 40 when itreturns to the weld specimen receiving station. The piston rod 113 andcylinder 111 therefore absorbs the shock of the carrier as it moves intoposition within the flash removal station.

Activation of limit switch 109 also energizes a relay in the controlcircuit which opens a valve feeding the head end of fluid cylinders 76and 78. Piston rods 75 and 77 are therefore extended and the knee-typetoggle link assemblies 73 and 74 are flexed open and the moveable shearmembers 67 and 68 are moved forward toward the welded valve specimen orassembly 150. The interchangeable shear dies 69 and 70 contact the stern149 of the valve assembly immediately below an annular weld flash collar151. As the shear block 67 and 68 move inward toward the valve assembly,tripping members 100 and 103 contact limit switches 94 and 96respectively. These limit switches energize a solenoid in the controlcircuit which opens a valve and supplies fluid to the head end ofcylinder 114. Piston rod 115 is extended and contacts clamping jaw 177forcing the jaw open. Opening of jaw 177 also opens jaw 178 due to theinterconnection by means of link 185.

As jaw 178 opens, it contacts limit switch 108. This limit switchcompletes a circuit in the control system which activates the motor 87in a reverse direction and drives the chain 89 away from the flashremoval station 63. As previously described, the carrier unit 40 isfastened to the chain 89 and will move away from the flash removalstation toward the weld specimen receiving station 62. As the carrierunit moves away from the flash removal station, limit switch 1 10 isreleased which indicates that the carrier unit is out of position andthe shearing operation can begin. Limit switch 110 therefore completes acircuit in the control system which activates the clutch assembly 53.The clutch picks up the rotating flywheel 52 which forces crankshaft 47and connecting rod 48 downward. Since the shearing and ejecting assembly124 is fastened to the connecting rod 48, it moves downward and thevalve stem 149 enters the hollow guide member 129. The valve stemcontinues to move into the hollow guide member until it contacts thesurface 148 of stop pin 130. Further downward movement of the assembly124 forces the valve assembly 150 downward through the shear dies 69 and70 and the flash collar 151 is sheared from the valve assembly.

When the crankshaft 47 reaches its extreme downward position, limitswitch 59 is activated by a cam member 198 carried on the shaft 47. Thislimit switch opens a contact in the control circuit and releases theclutch and activates the brake of the assembly 53. The brake serves tostop assembly 124 in the downward position. At the same time, a timer isenergized in the control circuit which allows the shearing assembly 124to remain in the downward position for a controlled length of time. Thistime period is utilized to allow the ejector pin 146 to eject thesheared valve assembly 150 out of the die members 69 and 70.

Activation of limit switch 59 also energizes a solenoid which opens avalve supplying fluid to pipe 135. The fluid enters the head end ofchamber 134 and forces the piston assembly 133 downward. As the pistonassembly moves downward, the ejector pin 146 secured within the pistonassembly moves downward and the forwardly extending end of the ejectorpin contacts the valve stem 149. Further downward movement of the pistonassembly within the chamber 134 forces the sheared valve 150 downwardand out of the clamping confines of the die members 69 and 70.

As the valve ejecting operation is completed, the timer previouslymentioned times out and a contact in the control circuit is completed.This energizes a solenoid and shifts a valve controlling flow of fluidcylinders 76 and 78. Fluid is then supplied to the rod end of cylinders76 and 78 and the piston rods 75 and 77 are drawn into the cylinders.This, of course, causes the knee-type toggle link assemblies 73 and 74to open.

A The shear members 67 and 68 and shear dies 69 and 70 are thereforepulled backward to an open position. As the shear members 67 and 68 aremoved apart, tripping members 101 and 104 contact limit switches and 97respectively.

Limit switches 95 and 97 energize a solenoid which positions a valve tosupply fluid to the rod end of cylinder 126 through pipe members 136.This moves the piston assembly 133 upward in the chamber 134 and drawsthe ejector pin 146 upward into the chamber 134 also.

At the same time, a contact is made in the control circuit whichenergizes the clutch in assembly 53 which picks up the rotating flywheel52. The crankshaft 47, connecting rod 48 and shearing assembly 124 areall raised to the upward position. In the upward position, cam 198depresses a limit switch 60 which breaks a contact in the controlcircuit. This releases the clutch and activates the brake in assembly 53stopping the crankshaft 47 and connecting rod 48 in the upward position.

During the shearing and ejecting operations, the carrier unit 40 hasreturned to a position within the receiving station 62. As the carrierunit returns, plate 91 contacts the piston rod 117 forcing it into thecylinder 1 16. This absorbs the shock of the returning carrier byforcing fluid out of cylinder 116 and into cylinder 111 at the flashremoval station. At the same time, thehorizontally extending rod 170contacts limit switch 169. This breaks a contact in the control circuitand stops the motor 87 which is driving the chain 89 and carrier 40.

As the carrier 40 moves back into position under the valve receivingstation, bar 166 contacts the top cover plate 156 and slides it back sothat hole 164 registers with hole 159. Since the friction weldingmachine is an automatic cycle, a welded valve assembly has beencompleted and previously released into the conveying chute 26. Thecompleted valve assembly is therefore resting on cover plate 156 as itis moved backward by the carrier unit.

As hole 164 in the cover plate 156 aligns with hole 159, the weldedvalve assembly will fall through and come to rest on spring loaded plate162. Under the weight of the valve, the plate raises and contacts switch163 closing the previously opened clamping jaws 177 and 178. This thenis the beginning of another automatic shearing cycle and the cyclecontinues as previously described.

in the event that a welded valve assembly should enter the receivingstation in a position inverted from that described, the automatic cyclewill continue and the carrier will be driven forward as before. However,as the carrier 40 passes the weld specimen reject station 34, the headof the valve, which is now extended upwardly, contacts the tripping arm121 of limit switch 120. This switch breaks a contact in the controlcircuit to stop the motor 87. The carrier is now stopped above thereject hole 122 in support unit 39. Limit switch will also close acontact which energizes a timer and a solenoid in the control circuit.The solenoid opens a valve which supplies fluid to the head of cylinder119 and thereby extends the piston rod. The piston rod of cylinder 119contacts jaw 177 and opens the carrier jaws. The valve is then releasedand falls into the open reject hole 122. As the timer times out, asolenoid is energized which conditions a valve to supply fluid to therod end of fluid cylinder 119 and returns the piston rod within thecylinder. At the same time, a contact in the control circuit iscompleted which energizes motor 87 in a reverse direction and drives thecarrier unit 40 to the receiving station 62. If a completed valveassembly has been provided by the welding machine, the automatic cyclecontinues as before. However, if the machine has not yet completed awelded valve assembly, the automatic cycle will pause momentarily whilethe machine completes an assembly and supplies it to the weld specimenreceiving station. Once the specimen falls into position on plate 162,the automatic cycle begins as before.

In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the structure ofthe present invention provides an improved method and apparatus forremoving the flash from a welded assembly. While the invention has beendescribed and shown with particular reference to the preferredembodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible thatwould fall within the scope of the present invention which is notintended to be limited, except as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of removing flash from an article joined in a weldingmachine whereby the flash is produced by displacing material from acommon interface of two weld members due to heat and pressure at theinterface including the steps of,

receiving an article discharged from the welding machine at a receivingstation,

transferring said article from the receiving station into a carrierunit,

moving the carrier unit from the receiving station to a flash removalstation,

depositing said article into a flash removal apparatus,

and

activating the flash removal apparatus to remove the flash from saidarticle.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 including a further step of ejectingthe article from the flash removal apparatus.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 including a further step ofreturning said carrier unit to said receiving station.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 including a further step of sensingorientation of the article in the carrier unit and ejecting said articlefrom the carrier unit if the article is improperly oriented forintroduction to the flash removal apparatus.

5. The method of claim 4 whereby the article is ejected from the carrierunit in response to a signal generated by a sensing mechanism due to thepresence of an improperly oriented article.

6. The method as defined in claim 5 wherein the signal from the sensingmeans activates a fluid motor for removing the improperly orientedarticle from the carrier unit.

1. A method of removing flash from an article joined in a weldingmachine whereby the flash is produced by displacing material from acommon interface of two weld members due to heat and pressure at theinterface including the steps of, receiving an article discharged fromthe welding machine at a receiving station, transferring said articlefrom the receiving station into a carrier unit, moving the carrier unitfrom the receiving station to a flash removal station, depositing saidarticle into a flash removal apparatus, and activating the flash removalapparatus to remove the flash from said article.
 2. The method asdefined in claim 1 including a further step of ejecting the article fromthe flash removal apparatus.
 3. The method as defined in claim 2including a further step of returning said carrier unit to saidreceiving station.
 4. The method as defined in claim 1 including afurther step of sensing orientation of the article in the carrier unitand ejecting said article from the carrier unit if the article isimproperly oriented for introduction to the flash removal apparatus. 5.The method of claim 4 whereby the article is ejected from the carrierunit in response to a signal generated by a sensing mechanism due to thepresence of an improperly oriented article.
 6. The method as defined inclaim 5 wherein the signal from the sensing means activates a fluidmotor for removing the improperly oriented article from the carrierunit.